Evaluation of the Prognosis of the Teeth in the Mandibular Fracture Line.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of the teeth in the mandibular fracture line and to analyze the relationship between the degree of displacement of fracture fragments, the relationship of the fracture line to the periodontium, and the relationship between the condition of the teeth at the first postoperative (post-op) year.

Methods: A total of 60 teeth from 38 patients (11 female and 27 male) who had erupted teeth in the line of mandibular fracture and were treated with open reduction were examined. The data were collected from the patients' clinical records and radiographs. Age at the time of injury, gender, cause of trauma, site of fracture, the relationship of the fracture line to the periodontium, the degree of displacement of fracture fragments, and the condition of the teeth in the line of the fracture at the first post-op year were evaluated.

Results: The degree of displacement of fracture fragments had an effect on the condition of the teeth at the first post-op year ( = .036) and the regions of the mandible had an effect on the degree of displacement of the fracture fragments ( = .000). The survival rate of the pulp of the teeth was 69.8%.

Conclusions: A preventive approach should be preferred for teeth in the mandibular fracture line. Retained teeth in the fracture line should be monitored clinically and radiologically for at least 1 year, and unnecessary endodontic treatments should be avoided.